Traffic signaling mechanism



July 6, 1943. c. w. CLARK 2,323,793

I TRAFFIC SIGNALING MECHANISM I Filed April 16, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1FIG. 1. 4

July 6 1943 I c. W. CLARK 2,323,793

TRAFFIC S IGNALING MECHANISM Filed April 16, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 22FEEL-4s. ,2! 1/ FIG.5-

9 /3 17 14 I z? 3 1 5 14- I 12 x 13 t I 16 1 P l 6 10 :hvvvwbom 25CHARLES W- CLARK Patented July 6, 1943 UNITED STATES QFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in illuminated traflic signalingand controlling apparatus. The usual trafiic signal involves a casingwherein one or more sides thereof is provided with a plurality oflenses. Through the provision of automatic circuit controllers, theselenses are alternately illuminated to produce the customary red andgreen signals. As these signals are now generally operated, suddenchanges take place in energizing the red and green lenses. Assuming thatthe green lens is energized, the operators of approaching Vehicles arenot informed as to when the green signal will be deenergized and the redsignal or lens energized. Particularly is this true when the trafficsignals do not employ a yellow or caution signal during the periodbetween the deenergizing of the green lens and the energizing of the redlens.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providea traflic signal of the character indicated wherein the green lens issurrounded by a plurality of segmental or arcuate lenses of distinctivecoloration, the latter lenses being successively energized during theperiod of illumination of the green lens, so that vehicle operatorsapproaching the green lens when it is energized will be able todetermine the approximate time remaining in any given period when thegreen lens is energized.

Another object is to provide a traffic signal which will enablemotorists to obtain a better understanding of the periods ofillumination of particular lenses forming a part of the trafiic signal,to the end of lessening confusion, facilitating the movement of trafficand minimizing accidents and traffic ordinance violations by motorists.

For a further understanding of the invention, reference is to be had tothe following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a traflie signal formed inaccordance with the present invention;

,Fig. 2 is an enlarged front elevation of the signal with the lensesremoved to disclose internal structure;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken through the green lens of thetraffic signal and associated housing structure;

Fig. 4 is a similar view on an enlarged scale, the plane of the figurebeing indicated by the line IVIV of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view on the line VV of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken through the switch housing,the switch drum and associated contacts being shown in end elevation;

Fig. 7 is a similar view, disclosing the drum in side elevation;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the circuits used in energizing thesignaling lamps.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral l designatesthe main box-like casing of my improved trafiic signal. Inthe-particular form of the invention illustrated, the casing issubstantially rectangular in horizontal cross section, having fourvertical walls. Each of these walls carries a red colored lens, asindicated at 2, and below the latter, a green lens 3. Any suitablemeans, such as the cables indicated at 4, may be used for suspending thecasing in its operative position in the center of street or highwayintersections. It will be understood, however, that the trafiic signalmay be supported on the upper ends of standards, or in any otherconventional manner.

A distinctive feature of the present invention resides in the mountingof the green lenses 3. To mount each of the lenses 3, the casing l isprovided with an annular metallic housing 5, having a back wall 6, whichcloses an opening 1 formed in the side of the casing l. Surrounding theopening I is a seating ring 8, which is suitably secured to the side ofthe casing, and to which is attached, in any desired manner, theoutwardly directed flanges 9 of the housing 5 and its back wall 6.

Secured to the axial portion of the wall 6, as shown more particularlyin Fig. 4, is the smaller end of a conical reflector IE3. Also carriedby the axial portion of the back wall 6, is a socketed fitting H, whichcarries an incandescent lamp 12, the latter being disposed in theprincipal axis of the reflector l0.

Disposed between the outer walls of the reflector l6 and the inner wallsof the housing 5 is a plurality of radial partition walls I3, whichdivide the interior of the housing 5 into separate arcuate compartmentsIt. Situated witlm n each of these compartments is an incandescent lampl5, each of the lamps l5 being carried by a socketed fixture itsupported by the back wall 6. While the open front of the reflector Ii!is covered by the green lens 3, the corresponding open fronts of thecompartments I i are covered by means of flat, segmental or arcuatelenses l'l. When four compartments are used in connection with each ofthe green lenses (although any desired number may be employed), three ofthe lenses H, as indicated in Fig. 1, possess a yellow or ambercoloration, while the fourth of the lenses I1 is preferably of redcoloration.

To retain the lenses 3 and ll in their applied positions, the outerportion of the reflector I3 is provided with an out-turned flange I8,which carries a gasket 19, and the outer circumferential edge of thelens 3 is seated against this gasket; also, the inner curved edges ofthe lenses ll. Likewise, the housing 5 at its outer end is provided withan out-turned flange 20, which acts as a seat for an annular gasket 2|,and the outer curved edges of the lenses ll engage with the gasket 2|,as shown more particularly in Fig. 4. A metallic clamping ring 22 hasseating engagement with the inner and outer gaskets l9 and 2|respectively, said clamping ring being united in connection with theflange of the housing 5 by means of the threaded securing devicesindicated at 23. If desired, the ring 22 may carry the usual visors orhoods 24 in order to shield the lenses and to enable the same to be morereadily viewed when energized.

In the operation of the signal, when one of the green lenses 3 isenergized to permit of traffic movement in a given direction, the yellowor amber lens a is first energized, thereby notifying motorists that theperiod of traffic movement governed by the cooperative green lens is inits first stage of duration. After a given period of time, for exampleten to fifteen seconds, the second of the lenses H, as indicated at b,is energized, this being followed by the energizing of the third of thelenses ll, to wit, the lens indicated at c. The fourth of the lenses ll,namely the lens d, which is preferably red in color, is energizedfollowing the illumination of the lenses a, b and c. When the lens d isilluminated, motorists are advised that the given period of illuminationof the lens 3 is about to terminate, so that motorists approaching thesignal should have their vehicles under control and ready to be stoppedwhen the period of illumination of the green lens terminates and the redlens 2 energized.

A preferred sequence is for the green lens to be energized and after ithas been energized for a period of time, for example ten to fifteenseconds, the lens a is energized, followed successively by the lenses b,c and d, all of said lenses remaining energized until the termination ofa given illuminating period of the lens 3.

Any suitable switch mechanism may be used in obtaining this sequence oflens illumination. For instance, as illustrated in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, thecasing l, or a remote control station, may be provided with a motordriven shaft 25 rotated at a timed rate of speed. The shaft 25 carries adrum 26 for rotation in unison therewith. The periphery of this drum isprovided with a metallic conducting band 21, and contacting with thecontinuous portion of the band 21 is a finger or brush 28 with which isconnected a lead-in wire 29, leading from any suitable source ofelectrical energy.

The band 21, as shown in Figs. '7 and 8, is provided with one or morestepped edges 30 producing regions indicated at 3, a, b, c' and d, whichregions are disposed in registration with a series of brushes indicatedat 3!, 32, 33, 34 and 35. A wire 36 extends from the brush 3i to thefilament of the lamp l2, the latter being then connected to the returnside of the current supply circuit. Similarly, wires 3'! lead from thebrushes 32, 33, 34 and to the lamps indicated generally at l5 and morespecifically by the cha acters a, b, c and 11. As the drum rotates, theconducting regions 3', a, b, c and d are successively presented intocontacting engagement with the brushes indicated at 3! to 35, therebysuccessively energizing the lamps and simultaneously deenergizing thesame when the brushes are removed from contact with the several regionsof the band 21, as specified. It will be understood that other suitableautomatic switch mechanism may be used, depending upon the wiringarrangements employed in various municipalities.

The lens mechanism grouped around each of the green lenses is such thatit may be readily adapted to standard traflic signaling lamps now ingeneral use, thereby lowering the costs of installation and avoiding thenecessity of discarding useful equipment. The size of each of thearcuate lenses I l is such that these lenses may be observed from aconsiderable distance from the signal proper, permitting the signal tobe used with. maximum effectiveness. The bulbs may be readily insertedand removed by the removal of the clamping ring 22, a feature whichfacilitates servicing of the signal. Also, the walls of the compartmentsl4 may be suitably polished or brightened to act as reflectors inprojecting light through the lenses ll.

It will be understood that various changes may be made in theconstruction of the apparatus without departing from the scope of theinvention as the latter has been defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Attachment means for illuminated street intersection traflicsignaling apparatus comprising a base ring adapted for attachment to aconventional traffic signal casing, housing means secured to said ring,said housing having a rear wall and an annular side wall projectingforwardly therefrom, a substantially conical reflector projectingforwardly from the central portion of said rear wall, the wall of saidreflector being spaced from said annular side wall, circumferentiallyspaced partition means extending between said conical reflector and saidannular wall to provide a plurality of chambers grouped around a centralchamber formed by said reflector, lamp-receiving socket means carried bysaid rear wall in each of said chambers, and lens means removablysupported at the forward ends of said reflector and side wall to closesaid chambers.

2. Attachment means for illuminated street intersection trafficsignaling apparatus comprising a base ring adapted for ready attachmentto an existing traffic signal casing, housing means carried by saidring, said housing having a rear wall and a frusto-conical side wallsecured at its smaller end to and projecting forwardly from said rearwall, a frusto-conical reflector member secured at its smaller end tothe central portion of said rear wall, said reflector being spaced fromsaid side wall to provide an annular chamber around a central chamberwithin said reflector, partition means extending between said reflectorand side wall to divide said annular chamber into a plurality ofsections, lamp-receiving socket means provided on said rear wall withinsaid central chamber and the sections of said annular chamber, a lensframe removably secured to the forward edge of said side wall, and lensmeans carried by said ring for closing the open front of said chambers.

3. Attachment means for illuminated street intersection traificsignaling apparatus comprisgrouped around a central chamber formed bysaid reflector, lamp-receiving socket means carried by said rear wall ineach of said chambers, resilient gasket means disposed at the forwardedges of said side wall, reflector and partitions, a lens frame engagedwith said gasket means and removably secured to said side wall, and lensmeans carried by said frame to close the open fronts of said chambers.

CHARLES W. CLARK.

